Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

“ Y ou, my friend, are quite cruel sometimes.”

Aaron blinked, only then noticing that Samuel was seated next to him.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he said, confused.

Samuel sighed and subtly nodded in the direction of a woman who was walking away.

“Miss Annabeth had attempted to strike up a conversation with you. I watched that poor woman try to interact with you for five painful minutes to no avail because you ignored her most of the time she was standing beside you.”

Aaron stared at the retreating lady and muttered, “Oh.”

His friend narrowed his eyes at him. “Are you all right? I thought you said that you hadn’t sustained any injuries from the hunting incident.”

“I did not,” Aaron shook his head. “I’m just —”

Distracted by a woman I swore wouldn’t get under my skin, he finished silently.

Resolving to put some distance between himself and Selina had been easier said than done, all because he had forgotten a small flaw in his plan.

Selina was the most stubborn woman he had ever met.

Despite his attempts to stay away from her, she had persistently tried to get his attention. Somehow, she managed to appear when his guard was down, petulantly frowning each time he walked away or side-stepped around her when she approached him.

He did not know what she thought of him and his actions, but he wanted to give her a good shake and explicitly inform her of just how badly she affected him. His dreams were filled with images of the skin he wished to explore, those lips that drove him to the brink of insanity and back, and the body he would give far more than he should be willing to have in his bed for countless days and nights.

But that would be very foolish. Allowing any more exchanges between them would be unwise.

“I didn’t realize she was interested in me, and I have noticed that she has poor manners. I think it is best if I do not spend my time with women who do not meet my qualifications,” Aaron stiffly stated.

“In that case, perhaps it is time you began deliberately engaging with women who fit your requirements then. And because I am an excellent friend, I have done as you requested and arranged for you to promenade the estate grounds with someone who I believe suits your tastes perfectly,” Samuel announced.

Aaron stared at Samuel, hoping the other man would say he was joking. He became disconcertingly worried as time passed, and Samuel simply grinned at him.

“What?” Aaron finally asked hoarsely.

“You asked me to do so, remember? Said you might not have enough time — what with looking after Lady Selina — to meet and find good prospects. And I gave you my word that you would have my support,” Samuel pointed out casually, if not a tad offended that Aaron appeared to have forgotten issuing such a request.

Aaron had made such a request on the morning of the hunt in fact. But somehow, there was something in him that was in no mood to test out the results of his friend’s ‘ support’ .

“Right.”

“And Lady Eleanor is an ideal fit for you. Trust me — she comes highly recommended by my wife even.”

It was hard to argue with Samuel when he had involved Nora, seeing as she was the more reliable one of the two of them.

“All right. There is no harm in meeting her, at least,” Aaron relented eventually.

“Excellent. I am glad to hear you say so because you are to meet her in the foyer in ten minutes,” Samuel stated as he rose to his feet and began walking away.

It was when he was halfway across the room that his words sunk into Aaron’s mind properly.

“What?”

It irritated Aaron to no end that Samuel had been right.

Lady Eleanor was truly pleasant.

Aaron had met her in the foyer, just as Samuel had instructed, and she kindly overlooked any initial confusion that still lingered within the lines of his conduct. As they walked through the garden, he had made light inquiries about her, and she had politely answered each question.

“I like to ride when I am not occupied by any embroidery works,” Eleanor softly responded when he raised a question about her interests.

“Embroidery. I’ve heard it is quite a test of patience,” Aaron had causally stated.

Eleanor’s gentle smile had taken him off guard, and she responded humbly, “You heard correctly, Your Grace. It is a trying task each time, but I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and benefit from it as many times as I can.”

As impressed as Aaron had been by her dedication and humility, he felt a startling wave of disappointment wash over him as he waited for more about what she enjoyed about her hobbies, but it never arrived.

“Do you not prefer more… active hobbies? I, myself, find riding to be quite enjoyable,” Aaron asked, expecting them to either bond or engage more over their similarities or differences.

“Ah, no, Your Grace. I much rather prefer the calm,” she replied, tone apologetic but otherwise empty.

“I enjoyed the picnic we had two days ago. The frozen lake was rather lovely, but it made me wish for summer afternoons when one can just take a freeing dip into the water to cool off from the heat,” Aaron stated, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

Eleanor seemingly preferred to respond to his statements and inquiries rather than lead the conversation, and it made Aaron feel as though he was the only one interested in getting to know the other more.

“I am sure it is nice, but I do not really like to swim,” she confessed with an abashed smile.

There was an itch of irritation that was wedged between his ribs while they spoke. He was presenting the questions, and she was offering careful, thoughtful answers. And initially, he simply believed it was because Eleanor did not seem interested in getting to know him.

“Why? Do you not know how? There is no shame in admitting that perhaps you are not well-versed in a skill or talent,” he attempted to tease a little.

She merely smiled and nodded. “If you say so, Your Grace.”

Aaron couldn’t help but think that Selina would have raised her head and tried to proudly refute any claims of mediocrity, even if she wasn’t being entirely honest.

And he was promptly filled with horror.

He had shaken his head, hoping to dispel such distracting thoughts from his mind. Still, much like a pest infestation, once such notions had manifested, it was rather difficult to get rid of them.

The rest of the walk bore practically the same sentiment. In as much as Aaron tried to focus solely on the woman by his side, his mind kept wandering to the other, and he desperately needed to sever whatever attachments had formed between them.

Eleanor was ideal in many ways from her demure behavior to her gentle and polite mannerisms. But for some strange reason, Aaron craved more from their conversation — and it lacked the satisfaction he derived whenever he argued with Selina.

A part of him ached for her flushed cheeks and fiery eyes and the attractive way her lips pulled into a sneer just as she was preparing to verbally attack him. Eleanor was quite pretty herself, but Aaron couldn’t help but miss Selina’s beautiful face that seemed to intensify in beauty whenever she was caught in a haze of mischief.

I need to stop this , Aaron hissed to himself, nodding as he barely heard a word of what Eleanor was saying about how her family had spent the summer by the countryside. This is neither the time nor the place to do this.

It was frustrating how Aaron’s efforts to focus on the woman before he kept falling short, no matter how hard he tried, even more so that his attention kept being claimed by Selina for some reason.

He was greatly relieved when the walk came to an end, and they returned inside.

“Forgive me for being so forward, but would you like to have a cup of tea with me, Your Grace? I would like to hear more about your interests and work. Perhaps even your childhood memories as I am sure you have quite a number of interesting tales to tell,” Eleanor smiled up at him as they stepped into the foyer where their journey had begun.

Perhaps if it had been some other time, Aaron would have agreed, eager to obtain a stronger connection with the woman who seemed to most likely fit the role of his duchess.

But then, a voice that sounded like Selina’s rang out in his mind. “I am willing to bet all that I have that you were a difficult child to raise. Just look at those stubborn eyes of yours — absolutely troublesome.”

Aaron hated that he wished she was before him, so they could properly argue about it.

“Thank you, Lady Eleanor,” he smiled kindly, feeling greatly weary all of a sudden, “but I do have other matters that need my attention this afternoon. Perhaps another time.”

She had curtsied gracefully without a hint of over-exaggeration or sarcasm in her form or tone as she replied, “I shall hope so. Enjoy the rest of your day, Your Grace.”

The gentlemanly thing to do was kiss her hand, but as she placed her hand in his, he noted with some disappointment that it did not fit quite like Selina’s.

He sighed tiredly as he watched her walk away, wondering why he felt more exhausted by their interaction than whenever he actually argued or disagreed with Selina. Aaron turned around, considering the benefits of getting some whiskey sent to his room, so he could drink in private, only to freeze in place at the sight of a familiar face walking through the door.

Bridget Bolton, Dowager Duchess of Crauford, looked as dissatisfied with life as she always did, her eyes glancing around the environment with a mild look of disinterest.

Her eyes meet Aaron’s, and her lips stretch into a sneer, a sentiment Aaron understood and sort of shared.

“Why are you here, Your Grace? From what I recall, you weren’t invited to this party,” Aaron questioned with a frown.

His stepmother rolled her eyes and replied dismissively, “I am a duchess, Aaron. My title has and always will grant me access to every event taking place if I wish it so. My birth and upbringing have helped me build enough trust to last the rest of my life with others. It’s a shame the same cannot be said about you.”

Aaron tried not to let out the deep sigh bubbling in his throat. This was neither the time nor place for their childish arguments, and he didn’t even have the strength for such an engagement.

“That is all well and fine, but I am merely asking if Nora and Samuel were expecting you and have prepared a room for you already. Trust doesn’t do much to help avoid the embarrassment of inconveniencing others. I thought you’d know that,” Aaron said as politely as he could.

Annoyance flickered through Bridget’s expression, but she schooled it in time to put on a saccharine smile, taking a single step towards him as she said, “Aaron, dear, your concern is unnecessary, much like your attempts to fill in shoes that were custom made for someone who was meant to tread down better paths than you. But it is appreciated, nonetheless.”

Aaron clenched his jaw and forced himself to nod once.

“All right then.”

He prepared to leave but was stopped by her voice.

“Your reason for being here has not escaped me. Have you managed to do it yet? Have you found yourself a wife?” she asked.

Aaron bristled at her inquiry and replied coldly, “That has nothing to do with you. I advise that you do not involve yourself in my business.”

Without another word, he walked away.

“I cannot believe that she could be so forward!”

The women nodded along with Lady Featherstone’s surprised remark, all of them just as surprised as she was over what she had witnessed earlier.

“I did not expect anything less from one so unladylike,” Lady Clemonte sniffed as she lifted her cup of tea to her lips. “Girls like that believe they are owed the word due to their ‘unique’ way of thinking. In reality, they are more worrisome than special.”

Selina sighed, sinking down further into her seat, disinterested in the current conversation.

The only reason why she had joined the table was because she had seen Ophelia and decided to take the other young woman’s invitation because any company was better than sitting in her room to wallow.

It was stifling how pained she felt over Aaron’s dismissal. But still, Selina reminded herself that she was here at this house to find a love match. The play time needed to end, and it was important that she returned her focus to where it was meant to be.

At least Aaron was right in that regard.

“They are quite audacious, don’t you think? Pretending to be saints because they believe their sins are only known to themselves.”

Selina blinked and sat up as Nora slipped into a seat next to her, somehow unnoticed by the other women who had clustered together in a bid to share their gossip even more effectively.

She glanced at the group and back at the Duchess, who reached for a scone and the small pot of strawberry jam, unsure of what to say.

“Lady Theodora has been frequently meeting a certain gentleman in the gardens after dinner. Miss Bennings has been sending rather… incriminating letters to Lord Crowell — who is married. Lady Clemonte has been eyeing one of my stable boys. And the honorable Lady Featherstone has been quite busy flirting with Lord Rutherford,” Nora continued with a hushed tone.

“Lord Rutherford?” Selina frowned. “Is he not courting her daughter?”

“Precisely, my dear.” Nora shook her head with a small smile. “It is so easy to judge when you think your own misdeeds are unknown.”

“How do you know all this?” Selina questioned in awe and slightly concerned.

Because she had also been rather… inappropriate with a man who was neither her husband nor her betrothed.

“They aren’t as smart or as sneaky as they believe. And although my staff have been instructed to protect all the secrets of our guests during their time here, it is imperative that I am kept aware of any situations that might lead to unfortunate circumstances in the future,” Nora sighed, giving the impression that she would rather not have known half of what she did. “They are in no place to judge Lady Samantha for declaring her affections for Sir Roderick. There is never anything wrong with being true to yourself about your wants.”

Selina nodded in understanding, still unable to put on an enthusiastic front. Nora noticed immediately, and her tone turned soft.

“What ails you, Selina? Do not think that I haven’t noticed you are not your usual mischievous self.”

With a sigh, Selina dropped her gaze to her cup of tea, knowing it wouldn’t taste as good anymore because it had been served over half an hour ago.

“I… I feel a little bothered. Not necessarily by a specific issue, but I simply have a lot on my mind. And as such, I miss my sister. I wish she were here to give me some advice, even though I know she would kindly tell me to prioritize my objectives over my desires. I do not like feeling as though it was foolish of me to want love over a quick marriage because I am worried that I will soon arrive at an age when no man would want me.”

Nora reached for one of Selina’s hands, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I understand your concerns, Selina. It is scary feeling as though you are running out of time which leaves you with few options — one of which is to compromise on what you truly want or to just give up. However, I wish you would know that there is nothing wrong with wanting to hold onto what you desire. People will call you selfish, childish, unwise, and all other sorts of judgments shall come your way, but your life is yours to live. And the choice on how to do that is ultimately yours. Do not give up easily, and above all else, listen to what your heart says and trust it. So, my dear Selina, do what is best for you and no one else.”

Nora was right. Selina had spent so much time fixated on Aaron and his games that she had nearly forgotten that they had both come here for their own objectives and wanted different things.

And perhaps it was time to shift her focus back to where it was meant to be.

“Thank you, Nora,” Selina exhaled, feeling a bit better. “I will do just that.”